Revelations and Denial: Ashik Jagai Remains in Detention Amid Rs 79.7 Million Scandal
Ashik Jagai, the former head of the now-dissolved PHQ Special Striking Team (SST), is still in the spotlight of Mauritian judicial news. The police superintendent (SP), at the center of a large-scale financial investigation, has had his police detention extended until August 21, 2025. This decision follows his second hearing conducted by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) on Thursday, August 14, 2025, just hours after his appearance in the Port Louis court.
During this interrogation, held in the presence of his lawyer, Me Raouf Gulbul, Ashik Jagai faced numerous questions regarding a series of Reward Money requests he allegedly made between August 2022 and September 2024. The figures mentioned by the FCC are unusually high. The investigation specifically targets two periods: an initial series of claims estimated at Rs 62.7 million, covering August 2022 to February 2024, and a second tranche of approximately Rs 17 million, recorded between April and September 2024. In total, this amounts to around Rs 79.7 million in Reward Money that is at the heart of the investigation.
According to information obtained from sources close to the case, investigators are particularly focused on a specific request made in November 2022. This request, amounting to Rs 7 million, pertained to an operation led by Sergeant Hossen Mose while the SST was still operational. This case appears to be one of the focal points of the investigation, with the FCC believing that this amount was excessively high compared to standard practices.
During his hearing on August 14, Ashik Jagai maintained his denial of all allegations against him. He categorically stated, "No Reward Money was paid to me," insisting that he never personally received any payment related to these Reward Money claims. His defense rests on the argument that his role as head of the PHQ SST was limited to forwarding requests from his subordinates to the appropriate authorities at Central Barracks. He claims to have exerted no influence over the amounts requested or their processing.
The FCC, however, maintains that the former SP used his position of authority to validate and process financial requests that, in their view, far exceeded established practices. The apparent goal, according to investigators, was to benefit certain unit members with excess amounts or even to divert part of these funds. This hypothesis remains to be proven, and no formal charges have been made at this stage of the investigation.
This is not the first time Ashik Jagai has been embroiled in controversy. During his years at the helm of the PHQ SST, he cultivated a reputation that was both feared and respected. The unit he led was often called upon for tough or sensitive operations, sometimes subject to controversy. The dissolution of the SST in 2024 had already sparked numerous debates regarding the methods used and accountability.
Since his initial arrest, the SP's defense strategy has been straightforward: the absence of personal enrichment. Me Raouf Gulbul, his lawyer, also emphasizes that all procedures were followed and that the documents submitted were complete and compliant with regulatory requirements. He stressed that his client has always fully cooperated with FCC investigators.
However, the FCC seems determined to shed light on this case. Investigators, according to some leaks, have already identified several other instances where the amounts claimed by the former SST appear suspicious. Data cross-referencing with police records, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Treasury is underway to verify the traceability of payments and successive approvals.
The issue of Reward Money in Mauritius is a sensitive topic, often debated within police and legal circles. In principle, these are financial rewards given to officers or teams that have contributed to significant seizures or the resolution of major cases. Although legitimate in its aim, the system has long suffered from a lack of transparency, opening the door to potential abuses. The Jagai case thus brings this question back to the forefront of public and institutional debate.
As the country watches this case closely, the continuation of the judicial process will be scrutinized. The continued detention of Ashik Jagai until August 21, 2025, suggests that judicial authorities and the FCC view this case as particularly serious. Significant developments are expected in the coming days as investigators continue their hearings and document analyses.
In the meantime, Ashik Jagai remains in police custody, awaiting the next steps in the process. The exact destination of the claimed amounts, their use, and the potential beneficiaries remain a mystery. While some shadows begin to lift, the case is far from revealing all its secrets. The nation holds its breath for clear answers as the name of a former high-ranking police officer is linked to one of the most significant financial scandals in recent years.
